Good morning, 

Should state officials and their families be allowed to profit from contracts with the government? Sound off in today's One Click Survey.

This is the Texas Minute for Monday, February 19, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

EXCLUSIVE: Phelan Company Making Millions Off State Contract

• Routed through a state agency, taxpayers were forced to pay millions in rent to a company run by House Speaker Dade Phelan. Robert Montoya, Kristen Stanciu, and Quinn Sullivan have the details from their investigation.
        
• Texas Scorecard obtained multiple Texas Health and Human Services Commission purchase orders that show lease payments to a company directly overseen by Phelan and his family.
      
• HHSC confirmed that they have indeed paid Phelan's business $2.3 million over the last several years—including during his tenure as House Speaker, where his appointees oversee the funding of the agency.
       
• A review of the building's marketing finds that Phelan is charging taxpayers three times what other tenants are paying.
       
• Phelan declined to comment.

Illegal Immigration Collides With School Choice

• Opponents of school choice have taken a new tack with claims that Gov. Greg Abbott's proposal will benefit illegal aliens. Daniel Greer breaks down the arguments... and the facts.
       
• State Reps. Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) and Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) claimed in campaign ads their votes against school choice last fall were to remove magnets for illegal immigration. Of course, neither representative co-authored or authored legislation to abolish the longstanding practice of giving in-state tuition to illegal aliens. 
     
• The Republican Party of Texas platform calls for both the abolishment of in-state tuition for illegal aliens and for proof of legal residency status to enroll in public school. Neither Darby nor VanDeaver authored an amendment to accomplish those things.
       
• Gov. Abbott showed little patience with the lawmakers' claims. He called Darby "a liar" and VanDeaver "a fraud."

Texas Universities Admit to Skirting New Law

• A new investigation released by Accuracy in Media reveals how Texas universities are attempting to skirt a state law that bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies in higher education. Emily Medeiros has the story.
        
• In the course of AIM's investigation, multiple university officials said they will continue to push the goals and principles of DEI under new names.
       

• At the University of Texas at Tyler, Tarecka Payne, the Director of Student Belonging, told AIM’s undercover investigator that the university has had to change the name of its DEI department three times. She bragged that they can still do the DEI work, but they just have to be “creative.”
      

• Joe Posada-Triana, the Director of Underserved Students at the University of North Texas at Dallas, told the investigator that while the DEI office has been dissolved, the university is reclassifying the work under the word “belonging.” He added that their Diversity and Inclusion task force has been renamed the “belonging task force.”
      

• At Tarleton State University, administrators have hidden their DEI initiatives under the “First Generation Initiative.” Academic Coordinator Marcus Brown said that the First Generation Initiative is already working with professors to train and bring DEI principles to students. 

Lawmaker Works to Curtail Taxpayer Funding of LGBTQ Minor at Texas A&M 

• A Republican lawmaker will be exploring “legislative remedies” to end taxpayer funding of LGBTQ and woke courses at Texas universities. Will Biagini has the story.
       
• State Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) has been critical of Texas A&M promoting a minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies. Materials he uncovered indicate the course would be devoted to asserting, among other things, that "gender and sexuality are socially constructed."
       
• “Hard-working, over-taxed Texans should not be forced to pay for liberal indoctrination, and I will be exploring legislative remedies.” – Brian Harrison

PROFILE: Spiller Faces Challenge From Kingsbery

• In the sprawling House District 68, incumbent David Spiller is being challenged by Kerri Kingsbery in the GOP primary. Amelia McKenzie profiles the race.
       
• Spiller has been endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott and a series of organizations friendly with House Speaker Dade Phelan, including the Texas Alliance for Life and Associated Republicans of Texas. His top contributors include Phelan and Texans for Lawsuit Reform.

Fort Worth ISD to Make Staff, Budget Cuts

• Facing a $43.6 million budget shortfall, the Fort Worth Independent School District is planning to reduce spending by cutting staff. Reportedly, the district's cuts will not affect programs and resources that boost student achievement.
      
• Only 32 percent of Fort Worth ISD students perform at or above grade level across all subjects. 
     
• Since 2017, Fort Worth ISD has been losing an average of 2,436 students per year. During the 2016-2017 school year, 87,428 students were enrolled within the district. This year, only 70,604 students are enrolled.

Quote-Unquote

"There is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power."

– William Henry Harrison​

ONE CLICK SURVEY

As reported above, House Speaker Dade Phelan and his family have profited off a lucrative contract with a state agency during his tenure in office.

Should Texas officials and their immediate families be prohibited from having contracts with state and local government entities?

Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!